Schizophrenia AO3

Question 1

Biological treatment

Answer 1

+ Thornley, 13 trials, chlorprozamine better functioning & reduced symptom severity compared to placebo

+ Meltzer, clozapine, 30-50% effective in treatment resistant cases
- (counterbalance) short term effectiveness, research looks at research impact, just calming effects - just treats the cause

• Likelihood of side effects.
  Typical antipsychotics- dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain, tardive dyskinesia, harmful, patients may stop taking them (reduces effectiveness)

Question 2

Cognitive explanation

Answer 2

+ Supporting evidence, Sterling, stroop test, Sz twice as long, faulty information processing

• May not be cause of Sz, psychological symptoms explained by cognitive, underlining cause biological

Question 3

Issues of validity and reliability

Answer 3

+ Comorbidity research support, Buckley, 50% Sz diagnosis of depression or substance abuse

+ Culture bias supporting research, Escobar, over-interpret symptoms black people, cultural differences

Question 3

Biological explanations

Answer 3

• Twins not 100%, not just biological, therefore reductionist, individual may be pre-disposed.
• Evidence envirnomental risk factors, bio risk birth comp & smoking cannibis, Psych risk child trauma. Genes not complete explanation for Sz.

+ Original hypothesis, Kessler, high levels dopamine basal forebrain, PET & MRI scans Sz patients. Dopamine plays role.

+ Practical applications, effective treatment, drugs e.g. clozapine. Can improve quality of life.
- (counterbalance) negative side effects of clozapine

Question 4

Psychological explanations

Answer 4

+ Evidence, Sz more likely insecure attachment, 69%f 59%m history of physical/sexual abuse

• Ethical issues, blaming parents, socially sensitive, additional stress. Need to consider benefits of the research

+ EE Kavanagh, high relapse rate (48%) in high EE home, low relapse rate (21%) in low EE home

Question 5

Pyschological treatment
(CBT)

Answer 5

+ supporting evidence effectiveness, Pontillo, reductions in auditory hallucinations, clinical evidence supports use of CBT

+ works for Sz patients not responding to drug treatments, Sensky found it effective and continued improvement 9 months later

+ Less side effects

• Not suitable for everyone, needs engagement some lack, less suitable for olders than youngers